How to check a motorcycle starter works - 2006 Yamaha V Star 1100 Custom

Hello Brian,
You need to find the starter relay and test it and verify that the coil has continuity. The next thing would be to check your fuses and verify that they are all good. Your starter relay is not engaging which will usually send power to the starter solenoid to engage and turn over the starter itself!
Good Luck!
Rich Lilja

Check battery, check connections corrosion causes bad connection. Double check starter button switch, it may be bad. You may be able to verify this switch by "jumper" bypass of the switch..

If your starter clicks but dose not work, then you will need to have your starter checked. It sounds like your silinoid has stopped working. You can either take your starter off and have it checked at Auto Zone or which ever Auto store or maintenance shop you prefer. It does sound like you have a faulty silinoid. Hopes this help.

solenoid, starter motor, starter switch & all associated wiring & connectors are poss faults check for power & grounding at starter motor & work backwards
Ride Safe
Bike-Doc

Sounds like you have some bad cells in your battery. Charge your battery and have it load tested. Check the voltage of your battery with ohm meter. Running the wrong voltage through your electrical system can damage some of the delicate electronics.You can jump your cycle from an automotive/car battery but do not have the car running. The car charging system can damage the motorcycle electrical system. If you push the starter button and the solenoid clicks , the starter button is good. If you jump the two battery terminals on the solenoid and the starter works, the solenoid is bad. If you hold the starter button and tap on the starter with a plastic hammer and the starter now works, then you need to replace the starter brushes. If there is anything else wrong with the starter you will have to replace the starter assembly, the manufacturer does not sell replacement parts for the starters.

You have already done all the testing. Your starter works, your starter button works, your solenoid is clicking , the problem is that the contacts inside the solenoid are burnt and not making a connection. Replace the starter solenoid and your motorcycle starter will engage the way it is supposed to.

Probably your starter button is the problem. On a lot of motorcycles the starter button is a two position switch. Push the button halfway in the headlight turns off. Push it all the way in and the solenoid engages the starter. This is to send more power to the starter motor. Try cleaning the button . If that does not work you may have to replace the switch assembly (the button is usually not sold separately).

Have you checked the battery? The starter requires a large draw from the battery to engage and crank the engine to start the motorcycle. If the battery does not have enough power the starter will engage but does not have enough power to physically turn the engine over. Make sure you are working with a known good battery.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/ryan_7b238a1b08d97b98

check the battery if the starter tested good the starter spining and clicking and not engaging the starter suggest the solonoid is suspect it kicks the starter out might be going bad. BATTERY is the common factor with the three starters working about the same lenght of time